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Monday, May 24, 2010

I was one of the millions of people who watched every episode of Lost. I have never read any commentaries, so maybe there are some explanations—I’m just not observant enough to figure them out. For me, a lot of loose ends were left dangling.

I kept saying to Carl, they’re never going to be able to explain everything in the finale. And they didn’t. But, you know what? I didn’t care. I wept as I haven’t wept in years. This finale was the best ending to any series I have ever seen. All the unanswered questions no longer seemed relevant. In the end it was all about the people.

Lost dealt with those lost in sin who were given a second chance to redeem themselves. Charlie especially comes to mind and tears spring to my eyes while I am typing this. Before the plane crash, Charlie was addicted to cocaine and entirely self-centered. On the island he learned to care for others and his final act was one of heroism. He locked himself into a room filling with water, sacrificing himself to save others.

And then there was Jack Shephard who turned out to be number 23, one of those mysterious numbers we learn about in the first season. “The Lord is my shepherd” from the 23rd Psalm perhaps is what the writers had reference to. Jack learned to have faith. He was a natural, talented leader but always looked to logic before his island experience. Jack is a nickname for John, and Jack is one of two Johns.

Another “John” was John Locke, the man of faith. Jack and John represented the dual natures of man. And, as our worldly self struggles with our spiritual self, so the two Johns often butted heads.

Besides John, many of the other inhabitants of the island had Biblical names. For example, James, Aaron and the mysterious Jacob. My purpose is not to recap the show so I won’t get into any more details.

My purpose is to say that getting to know the characters on Lost and watching themes played out has been an emotional but rewarding experience for me. Movies, TV series and books dealing with the great Biblical themes of enduring hardships, learning to love and the willingness to lay down one’s life for others will always draw people to them. People are hungering and thirsting to be spiritually satisfied but often do not know what they are hungering for. And they seek out these shows unknowingly. Hopefully, the finale did strike a chord with some.

Lost is now at an end and I do feel some satisfaction in that. I still do not understand much of what happened. I have to admit there was a lot I didn’t like.